Four common on-farm electrical risks are listed below to get your discussion started.  The first hazard is associated with overhead power lines, with the others describe unsafe wiring inside buildings.

1.  Raising tall equipment into overhead lines -- Everyone on the farm needs to understand that overhead power lines are not insulated.  Each year, dozens of people are killed or permanently injured as tall farm equipment accidentally touches a line. Of particular concern are grain augers, hay stackers, combines, fold-up cultivators, tractor front loaders, and portable irrigation pipe.

Consider the location of power lines on your farm, particularly those that cross heavily traveled areas or pathways to fields.  Make sure everyone understands that these areas are potential hazards, and knows the clearance height of tall equipment.

2.  Trees, buildings and hay stacks near power lines -- Children, in particular, are at greater risk if they are in a tree, on a roof, or on stacks of hay located under power lines.  Show children these potential danger areas to avoid.  For storing hay, lumber of any material, find other areas away from overhead lines.  In fact, it is best not to use the 10 foot distance around any power line as a travel route or storage area.

3.  Undersized and worn extension cords -- The circuits in homes and farm buildings are protected from overheating by a fuse or circuit breaker.  But an extension cord has no protection.  If an undersized cord is asked to carry more current than its wire size can handle, there's nothing to keep the wires from overheating and possibly starting a fire.

Replace any light duty extension cords that serve multiple appliances, or have worn or brittle insulation.  Avoid running cords under rugs, because this traps in heat and adds to the risk of fire.

4.  Deteriorated wiring in farm buildings -- Special wiring materials and methods are needed in agricultural buildings, particularly those housing livestock and poultry.  Moisture, dust and corrosive vapors from animal manure can cause conventional wiring (used in homes) to prematurely deteriorate.  Inadequate wiring increases the risk of a fire.  At the very least, the result could be a power outage.  This can interrupt ventilation fans in confined poultry or swine buildings, causing devastating losses.

Keep yourself and your loved ones safe by recognizing those situations that invite an electrical accident.  Even though electricity is our safest form of energy, it must be understood and respected.  Most accidents are preventable, it just takes a few minutes of family education and discussion.